Olive delivers State of the City

The 2013 State of the City address was held at noon Tuesday at the Bastrop Municipal Center. Mayor Betty Alford-Olive gave the address, which highlighted many of the city's accomplishments in 2012 including an A+ credit rating; the 2012 LMA Outstanding Community Improvement Award; several grants, new ordinances and adjusting ...

"My philosophy of an elected official is to seek to give for a cause for others rather than seeking to give for self and what makes a city strong is when others feel the same," Olive said.

She recognized the works of the Rev. Fulton and his vision for Youthquake, which has grown into an annual event that fills the hotels and restaurants as well as touching the lives of thousands of children.

Olive also spoke of the Rev. George Cooper at his annual Youth Impact for children during the summer.

Sara Hawkins was also applauded for her efforts in the Relay for Life as was Michael Atkins for his mentoring program.

"We live in a better place because of people like the Rev. Earnest Smith, who at the age of 72, walked across the stage of the University of Louisiana at Monroe to obtain his bachelor's degree, along with his grandson," said Olive. "People like Evelyn Natt and her passion to save our girls and youth by engaging them in seminars and community activities and Dr. Princess Pegues and her renowned achievements with the International Women's Ministry as president and her world-wide travel to help others not only here, but abroad.

Men like Jimmy Christmas who continue to invest in our community, bringing a store to a side of town when others turned their heads and the volunteers of Keep Morehouse Beautiful, who choose to roll up their sleeves and work with us to accomplish a cleaner environment. We are better because of these people, as well as our dedicated city workers, because we are working for a cause to make life better now and for the next generation," Olive concluded.

Highlights of the year include

Administration:

• Provided mandatory ethics training for all employees and elected officials

• Finished the fiscal year 2011 - 2012 with a balanced budget

• Refinanced Sewer Bonds issues, saving significant interest charges

• Technologically upgrade city clerk's office

• Received a Main Street grant

Main Street/Community Affairs

• Worked with Keep Morehouse Beautiful on several projects

• Marketed Bastrop in various avenues

• Communicated activities, successes and special events with media and the community